Like a dunce, I forgot to include the title of the Andrew Schoultz book published by Paper Museum Press in yesterday's update. I corrected it there, and I'm adding it here as well. The book is called Ulysses: Departures, Journeys and Returns. Dig it.
Matt K.
Let's see, let's see...oh yes, a couple of things. First of all, earlier than I had suspected or even hoped for, I received an absolutely wonderful package today from Derek and Jamie of the Park Life Store in San Francisco. They've started a small publishing company of their own called Paper Museum Press and they're putting together some really wonderful art books from some fantastic artists whose work is difficult to find outside of small galleries or their own personal web sites. Their inaugural publication is a marvelously well-done 180 page hardcover collection of the paintings, drawings, murals, photos, and sketches of Andrew Schoultz titled Ulysses: Departures, Journeys and Returns. Obviously, you can see some of his art by following the link attached to his name and you can get a preview of the book, as well as purchase a copy of your own, by following the Park Life Store link. I highly recommend it, and Andrew's art is truly something unique. He utilizes a vivid personal visual vocabulary of elephants, warships, armored horses, timbers, drops of liquid, beams of light and mysterious rays to create spectacular images. My copy arrived today and I really just could not be more amazed. The printing quality is superb, the binding is excellent, the design spectacular...truly a fitting monograph for a powerful artist. Very affordable for a hardcover full color art book at $29.95. Apparently there will only be 3000 printed, so if you are interested it is probably best to order yours quickly. Derek and Jamie were really super cool to me and a pleasure to order from. Also, they've announced that their next book will involve the art of Brendan Monroe, another artist whose works I am quite fond of.
Also, we are now only 5 short days away from the debut of "SPACEMAN." Another peek for you, courtesy of the phenomenally talented Mr. Steve Black...
You'll find out all about 'SPACEMAN' on New Year's Day, plus another really big and exciting announcement concerning me and my very own art and my first ever yearly "best of" lists (an idea stolen directly from the always entertaining mind of Mr. Kyle Wallace.
Matt K.
The Comics Reporter has a very interesting interview with Anne Ishii, director of publicity and marketing for Vertical Inc. that you can read here. As you may already know, Vertical Inc. is the American publisher of Osamu Tezuka's magnum opus "Buddha" as well as a great deal of intriguing fiction from other authors. In the interview, Anne talks a bit about her experience, the first 5 years of Vertical's history, how they landed the design services of Chip Kidd, and what their future plans are. Of particular interest to me was what she had to say about their upcoming publication of Tezuka's 500+ page Apollo's Song. First, the beautiful Chip Kidd-designed cover, and then Ms. Ishii's quote.
"Seriously though, my Apollos' Song one-liner is just that for now -- sexual misanthropy and male (dis)illusion told through ambiguously dystopian futurism. In other words, Philip Roth meets Philip K. Dick."
Much much more in the interview, so check it out. Also, I rarely read anyone's blog because they're generally tedious, egocentric, and endlessly self-referential, but Anne is sort of the official blogger for Vertical and it's actually pretty interesting. I've been reading it daily now for a few weeks and there is always something there that catches my eye. The blog can be found at the Vertical Inc. web site or you can just follow this link here.
I believe Apollo's Song is due out in May of June of 2007, and I know I'll be getting a copy. If that sounds interesting, you should really check out Tezuka's Ode to Kirihito, another 800+ page brick of beautiful art and challenging story. The title "Kirihito" is a play on the name "Christ" which in Japan is pronounced "Kirisuto" and the narrative has some parallels, although it also includes disfiguring disease, cannibalism, murder,degeneracy, rape, and ultimately hope and belief in what it truly means to be human. It's a surprisingly powerful tale told in comic form, and quite sophisticated. Easily one my top 10 books of 2006 (I'll be putting that list up, for the first time ever no less, in January of 2007) and I heartily recommend it to just about anyone.
Matt K.
I struggled with what to write here. I hope this comes out okay.
Today was Gib Bickel's last day of work at the comic book store he and a few friends founded over a decade ago. I was one of the handful of people lucky enough to work at that store and to get to know Gib a lot better. For me, Gib singlehandedly rekindled the love of comics I had as a child. Honestly, though, he did a lot more than that. He was always a blast, quick with the sarcasm, a pleasure to work for, and just great to be around. But above all that, and far far more importantly, Gib was and still is the truest of friends and an amazing example of how good and genuinely kind a human can be. Gib did so much for me I really couldn't even begin to list half of it. He helped me get into grad school. He gave me the best job I ever had, hands down. He gave me advice on comics, on art, and on life in general. He showed me what it means to give of yourself, what it means to always look for the best in people, what it means to love your life, what it means to work hard at what you do...geez, I could go on forever.
The only solace I have is that this is not the end. I know I'll be seeing Gib for years and years to come. I know I'll be telling him "The phone's ringing" or that he'll be making fun of Finnish hippos or telling me Kirby was a hack and nothing without Stan until we're both old old men. I tell myself that, and I hope that it helps with some of the sadness I feel now that the store will be without him.
So Gib, Rudy and I count ourselves as the luckiest people in the world because we've had the good fortune of getting to know you, spending time with you, and knowing you consider us friends. You're truly one in a billion, and we both know there are an awful lot of good times for you, us, and the whole crew still ahead. If you ever need anything at all, anything in the world, we'll both do whatever you need in a heartbeat. See ya soon, old man.
Matt K.
In just 21 days, Steve Black and Matt Kish (that's me) will show you what it's all about. Yes, 21 days from now, the Spaceman arrives...
Above art by Steve Black.
Matt K.
A few days ago, unwilling to let it end this way, I took my defunct digital camera (remember, the one that got frozen in the open position and wouldn't budge no matter how many times I changed batteries or pressed buttons?) and gave it one last try before throwing it away. I put in 3 brand new fresh batteries and one relatively brand new fresh battery and it seemed to work again! So tonight I asked Rudy to take photos of the new work so I could update the site, but lo and behold some of the photos were a little strangely streaky. Maybe the end really is near. And I can't really afford a new digital camera any time soon. I haven't even replaced my mp3 player, which is starting to suck kind of hard. Anyway, the point of all this is that I can show you teases of some of the new work. You'll all find out what these images mean on January 1st, and you'll also find out what that enigmatic "Spaceman" means too if all goes well. Oh, you'll see me wearing a red scarf that the lovely Rudy knitted for me last year. Yes, it really is that cold (to me, anyway) indoors. I've worn it all day. Work work work for you all...
Now, back to work I go. Only 24 more days, my little friends.
Matt K.
What the hell is wrong with my face?
Starburst Ham
It's coming to spudd64.com, very soon now. In 29 days you'll see what it's all about...
Matt K.